Nasty blast from the past: U.S. whooping cough outbreak could be worst in half century

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/20/us-usa-whoopingcough-idUSBRE86J05U20120720

U.S. whooping cough outbreak could be worst in half century

By Laura L. Myers

SEATTLE | Fri Jul 20, 2012 1:14am EDT

(Reuters) - The number of U.S. whooping cough cases has risen to around 18,000 in an outbreak that is on track to become the most severe in over a half century and could in part stem from possible waning vaccine protection, health officials said on Thursday.

"Whooping cough typically begins with cold-like symptoms such as a fever, runny nose and sneezing and is accompanied by a mild cough that grows more severe by the first or second week. A high-pitched whoop, giving the illness its name, can follow violent coughing fits."